Is it OK to travel to Rome in early September?

Question

Would the city be "up and running" against by that time? I've been reading a lot of posts warning people not to travel to the city in late August (which sucks, 'cause that's when summer school ends for me), but is early September any better in terms of crowdedness, humidity, site closures, etc? Thanks!

Answer 1

The disadvantages of late August are the heat and the fact that a lot of the restaurants and shops are shut. The advantages are a complete lack of traffic (you can actually cross the streets whithout fears of being run over) and cheaper hotel rates. (In the past a lot of the sites used to be closed, but that is not true anymore.) Early September the Romans start coming back from their holidays so it is definitely more crowded, though it won't get real crowded till September 10th/15th. Hotel rates are still fairly low though and the shops and restaurants reopen. And if you're lucky, the weather might even have cooled off.

Answer 2

kaibebe is way off base-Rome is full of tourist in September!!!!

But to answer your question, yes it is preferable to go in September over August

Answer 3

Yes, early September is a lot better.  Because of the school schedule, Italian families will be back in the city.  This means that little, locally-owned stores and restaurants will be back open.  Families will not be visiting Italy because their kids are back in school, so you will have shorter lines and lower hotel / plane prices.  The temperature is still quite hot, but your stress level will be waaay lower and the atmosphere will be more authentically Italian, not "made for tourists".  For info about my travels in Italy (I lived there for eighteen months) see my page below.  That site is a great travel resource- just make sure to read the tips that are already posted before asking a question!

Answer 4

There are fewer tourists and the Italians return from holiday.  They go on holiday for August and return in September and most tourists are gone by then, as well as the fact that although the weather is still warm, it is less humid and sweltering that it is in August.

Answer 5

Hello.. I am Italian....   weather...  September is cooler   August can be really hot.    cooler not cold. hehhe  you still wear shorts and tshirt. ehhe

August definetely crowded... foreigners plus  italians on holiday

I think september is just perfect.